Ho Chi Minh City, situated in the southern part of Vietnam on the right bank of the Saigon River near the Mekong Delta, boasts a population of over seven million people. This number continues to grow, as the bustling metropolis holds great appeal for young individuals from Vietnamese villages. As you stroll along the waterfront, you'll witness a different facet of life in the city. Modest shacks belonging to local fishermen line the area, with Vietnamese children energetically entertaining visitors for a few hundred VND. Originally founded in 1698, the city was initially named Saigon after the river it sits beside. In its early days, it was a small town centered around the Gia Dinh Fortress. During the era of French colonization, Saigon emerged as the capital of French Indochina. The city underwent significant architectural and economic development during this period. Towards the end of the colonial era, Saigon became the focal point of the movement to liberate the country from foreign rule.